Specialty Cats: Dwarf, Miniature and Teacup Cats

These rare and unusual cats are becoming very popular. But not all are genuine "minis" so be careful!

What are the Different Types of Miniature Cats?

The three types of small breeds cats are dwarf, miniature and
teacup cats. There are subtle differences between them, but
basically these have the common trait of being very small when
fully grown. Those seeking miniature cats should be warned that
not all petite cats are true miniatures. The normal size range
for cats is 5 - 12 lbs. and cats at the lower end of this
spectrum are not necessarily miniatures, but may simply be runts
that are being sold as miniatures.

Miniature Cats

The modern trend for miniature cats means that less scrupulous
breeders charge high prices for runty or under-sized cats and
some "breeding programs" are little more than kitten mills.
Genuine miniature cats come from breeding lines where the size
trait has literally been, or is being, controlled or manipulated
by selective breeding, and where the cats are a consistently
small size due to genetic mutation or to progressive downsizing.

Genuine breeders pay strict attention to health, hygiene and to
the homes their cats are adopted into. Reputable breeders limit
the number of litters produced each year to ensure the health of
the female cats and will take great care to avoid excessive
inbreeding (damaging to the immune system) and to continually
widen their gene pools.

Dwarf Cats

Dwarf cats are domestic cat breeds which have the condition of
dwarfism due to a genetic mutation. The Munchkin is the founding
breed of the chondrodysplastic (short-legged) dwarf cat. Through
outcrossing the Munchkin with a variety of normally proportioned
cats a substantial number of dwarf breeds have been developed.
The major dwarf breeds as set by the Dwarf Cat Association are as
follows:

The development of dwarf cats is at a fairly early stage (since
the mid 1980s) and dwarf cat breeders are currently striving for
recognition with the major cat registries. Dwarf cats are not
widely accepted outside of the USA. Dwarf cats are potentially
banned under the European Convention for the Protection of Pet
Animals (European legislation) and have been condemned in the
British Magazine Cat World.

Teacup Cats

In addition to chondrodysplastic dwarf cats, there are a number
of normally proportioned dwarfed breeds. These are usually termed
"mini" or "teacup" to differentiate them from the short-legged
dwarf cats. Some may be due to a condition similar to primordial
dwarfism found in humans. There are several lines of Teacup and
Toy Persians currently being bred, with some due to a spontaneous
mutation and others due to consistently selecting and breeding
the smallest individuals from each generation to progressively
downsize the breed.

Teacup cats are simply small "miniature" cats (meaning a
size smaller than the category of cat called "miniature cats").
Smaller than usual cats occur for several reasons - some genetic,
some hormonal and some environmental. Miniature cats are usually
about one third to one half the size of normal size cats of the
same breed. A genuine Teacup Cat however, is born
with a genetic dwarfism that, instead of making just the legs
short, causes the cat to be proportionally small all over. The
discovery of this genetic mutation has caused popularity of the
teacup cat to spread like wildfire.

Many breeders will agree that most "teacup" cats are, in fact,
scams. Usually these cats were runts, born too early, or severely
emaciated when they were a kitten. When buying "teacups" of any
animal, take caution, as most primordial dwarf cats are born with
severe health problems. Some common health problems of "teacup"
cats include:

Severe growth retardation causing bones to become misshapen
and soft

Slowing rate of muscle mass growth, causing weakness of the
cat and a possibility of decreased use of limbs

Heart murmurs and enlarged heart

Seizures and other neurological problems, possibly causing
blindness

Soft spot in top of skull, leaving cat susceptible to major
head trauma

Misshapen jaw and bowed legs

Shortened lifespans

Reproductive organs never growing or growing in a malformed
way

Due to their very, very small size it is impractical to take them
home before they are at least five months old. Cat experts
encourage you to take care when acquiring these very small cats,
as miniature kittens are much more vulnerable than normal sized
kittens.

Choose Wisely

Be careful when choosing a miniature, because not all teacup cats
are in fact miniature cats or dwarf cats. In some cases, a cat's
normal size is around 7-12 pounds; therefore some normal cats at
the bottom end of this scale may have the appearance of a
miniature cat, but will not be an actual "miniature or teacup"
because the cat's genetic make up is that of a normal sized cat.
Some unscrupulous breeders (and remember for many breeders their
primary concern is ultimately commercial gain) will pass off
normal/small cats as miniature cats, since miniature cats can
fetch higher prices.

A good breeder will limit the number of litters to ensure that
the queen stays healthy and to help make sure the gene pool is
wide to avoid inbreeding (damaging the immune system) which could
result in health problems and defects in offspring.

Things to Remember When Purchasing a Miniature:

Teacup cats are great pets but ensure that you get the following
when you buy:

Health Certificate stating that the kitten is free of
diseases

Proof that the cat has had its shots

Proof that the cat has been dewormed and flea-free

Proof that the cat has been spayed or neutered

A signed contract which ideally includes a health guarantee
that your kitten is free from congenital defects (no genetic
problems).

Other Important Items to Consider:

Microchipping so you can identify them if or when they get
lost

Get your kitten checked by a licensed Veterinarian within 72
hours of purchase

Make sure to get booster shots for those given by the cattery
after one year